Registered Nurse salary in Rhode Island
Registered Nurses in Rhode Island earn a median of $100,640 a year ($48.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 10,090 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,840 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $97,550. Rhode Island ranks 13th of 51 states for registered nurses pay. There are 20 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $101,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for registered nurses in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,410 | $37.22 |
| 25th percentile | $81,840 | $39.35 |
| Median | $100,640 | $48.39 |
| 75th percentile | $107,100 | $51.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,840 | $62.42 |
| Average (mean) | $101,260 | $48.68 |
Half of registered nurses earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,386.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,193.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,870.77 |
| Weekly | $1,935.38 |
| Hourly | $48.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Registered Nurse salary in cities in Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $99,880 | 15,180 |
Highest-paying states for registered nurses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $140,270 |
| Hawaii | $136,320 |
| Oregon | $129,010 |
| Washington | $124,200 |
| Alaska | $109,480 |
| New York | $109,440 |
| New Jersey | $106,500 |
| Massachusetts | $104,550 |
| Nevada | $103,670 |
| Connecticut | $102,740 |
Related jobs in Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $128,180 | $61.63 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $135,970 | $65.37 |
| Physicians, All Other | $228,590 | $109.90 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,400 | $47.79 |
| Physician Assistant | $139,930 | $67.27 |
| Dental Hygienist | $86,910 | $41.78 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,040 | $48.10 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $104,000 | $50.00 |
| Veterinarian | $126,570 | $60.85 |
| Dentists, General | $161,560 | $77.67 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $71,300 | $34.28 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $379,490 | $182.45 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $512,730 | $246.51 |
| Psychiatrist | $287,610 | $138.28 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1141. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Rhode Island?
The median salary for registered nurses in Rhode Island is $100,640 a year, or $48.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of registered nurses in Rhode Island earn at least $129,840 a year. The top 25% earn $107,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,410 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $81,840 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Rhode Island?
About 10,090 registered nurses are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.